SONA: I Risked My Presidency to Combat Galamsey – Akufo-Addo Declares
President highlights the sacrifices, political costs, and achievements in the fight against illegal mining while urging collective action to safeguard Ghana's resources
- Akufo-Addo prioritized the fight against galamsey, risking political capital and losing parliamentary seats
- Ghana became Africa's top gold producer in 2023
- President urges miners and stakeholders to adopt responsible practices for sustainable resource extraction
President Nana Akufo-Addo has described the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) as one of the most daunting challenges of his presidency.
Speaking during his last State of the Nation Address, he revealed the high stakes involved, stating that he was prepared to risk his presidency to protect the environment and safeguard water bodies.
From the start of his administration, tackling galamsey was a priority due to its catastrophic impact on Ghana’s natural resources. However, this decision came with significant political consequences, including the loss of parliamentary seats by several members of his party in the 2020 elections.
“I made a commitment to tackle galamsey, a phenomenon ravaging our environment and destroying our lands. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I believed it was essential to defend lives, protect water bodies, and ensure sustainable development,” he affirmed.
Despite the setbacks, the campaign yielded substantial results. Ghana emerged as Africa’s leading gold producer, achieving a record 4 million ounces of gold production in 2023. Additionally, the establishment of a 400kg-capacity gold refinery and progress on a $450 million manganese refinery at Nsuta marked significant strides in the mining sector.
The president urged miners and stakeholders to adopt responsible practices to safeguard Ghana’s resources for future generations. “The fight against galamsey is not a fight against mining. It is about extracting the wealth God has given us in a way that protects our lands and water bodies. We owe it to the generations to come.”
He called for collective action to balance resource extraction with environmental preservation, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development.
